Maroulis, Anthony, Leathers, Francis win Trials

LAS VEGAS -- 2016 Olympic champion Helen Maroulis flashed the high-octane offense and technical skills that made her the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic wrestling gold medal on her way to a victory at her new weight class, 58 kg/128 lbs. at the Women's World Team Trials on Saturday night at the South Point Arena.

Maroulis (New York, N.Y./Sunkist Kids) won both of her Championship Series matches by technical fall over 2017 U.S. Open champion Kayla Miracle. In her first match, Maroulis won 15-2 in 5:45. In the second match, she came back with 10 straight points to win 10-0 in 2:42.

Maroulis talked about her decision to return to competition after taking time away from the sport after her Olympic triumph.

"I struggled with that a lot. I hope I am doing the right things for the right reasons. I felt I needed to come back and its different this time around. This year, it's more about my character development and myself as a person. It is not so much about wrestling right now. I know that sounds weird. This is my profession and I give everything I have when I am doing it. Off the mat, I have to give everything I have as a sister, a daughter, a friend. There are a lot of things important to me right now," said Maroulis.